Buy a Dental Practice in the UK

A buyer’s agent acts exclusively for you, the purchaser, rather than for the seller or the selling agent. At Samera we challenge the asking price with evidence, negotiate on your behalf, arrange independent finance, and coordinate due diligence. Because we have no financial relationship with the seller, every piece of advice we give is in your interest only. Most dental practice transactions involve a sales agent who is paid by the seller. Using a buyer’s agent balances that dynamic.

No, but the cost of not having one is typically far higher than the cost of using one. Most buyers who go unrepresented accept the asking price, accept the first finance offer their bank provides, and have no independent check on the numbers. Our case studies show savings of £86,000 on a single loan through rate negotiation alone. A buyer’s agent pays for itself in the majority of transaction

Dental practices in the UK typically sell for between £300,000 and over £2 million depending on location, size, NHS contract value, and profitability. Most lenders will finance 70 to 80% of the purchase price, meaning you will typically need a deposit of 20 to 30%. There are also additional costs including legal fees, financial due diligence, CQC registration, and stamp duty land tax. We help you understand the full cost picture before you commit to any deal.

From identifying a practice to completion typically takes between four and nine months, though this varies considerably. Agreeing heads of terms usually takes two to four weeks once you have found the right practice. Due diligence, finance approval, CQC registration, and legal completion then typically run in parallel and take a further three to six months. Deals can move faster with good preparation and slower if complications arise. NHS contract transfers in particular can add time.

Yes, and this is the most common profile of buyer we work with. Lenders do not require prior ownership experience, but they do require a strong clinical track record, a solid business case, and well-prepared financial documentation. We help associates structure their application, present their case to lenders effectively, and understand the operational transition from clinician to practice owner.

Dental practice valuations are typically based on a multiple of adjusted net profit, also known as EBITDA. The multiple varies depending on whether the practice is NHS or private, its location, the strength of the patient base, and how reliant it is on the selling principal. Asking prices are not always accurate. We analyse the accounts independently and will challenge a valuation if the numbers do not support it. Our learning centre has a full guide and free calculator on how dental practice valuations work.

Most practice purchases are funded by a combination of a commercial loan from a specialist dental lender and the buyer’s own deposit. Typical loan terms are 10 to 15 years at variable or fixed rates. We work with multiple UK lenders who specialise in dental finance and negotiate rates independently. We are not tied to any lender. The finance structure we recommend will depend on the practice type, your personal financial position, and your long-term plans.

Financial due diligence is an independent review of the practice’s accounts, cash flow, and cost structure carried out before you complete the purchase. It verifies that the profits stated in the sales memorandum are real and sustainable, identifies any hidden liabilities or risks, and gives your lender confidence in the deal. We strongly recommend it for every purchase. Practices that look profitable on paper are not always what they seem, and identifying problems before completion is far less costly than discovering them afterwards.

NHS contracts do not automatically transfer to a new owner. The contract must be novated, formally transferred, with the agreement of the NHS commissioner, which takes time and is not guaranteed. We coordinate this process alongside your solicitors and advise on the risk profile of NHS-dependent practices. If you are buying a mixed or NHS practice, understanding the contract position before you exchange is essential.

The Care Quality Commission regulates all dental practices in England. When you buy a practice you must register as a new provider with the CQC before you can legally operate it. The registration process typically takes eight to twelve weeks and must run alongside your legal completion timetable. We coordinate CQC registration as part of the buying process so it does not delay your completion date.

Both routes have merit depending on your circumstances. Buying an existing practice gives you an established patient base, existing staff, and immediate revenue, but at a higher upfront cost. Starting a squat gives you full control over location, design, and systems, but takes longer to generate revenue and carries more commercial risk. We advise on both routes and can help you model the financial case for each based on your specific situation.

Our Setting Up in Practice Bootcamp is a live event designed for dentists who are thinking about buying or starting their own practice. It covers how to find and assess a practice, what lenders look for, how valuations work, and the real-world challenges of practice ownership. It is run by our team and by dentists who have been through the process themselves. It is the ideal first step before you begin actively searching for a practice to buy.